Asbestos Awareness Week

This CSIRO Wellbeing video profiles Alex Allars, Sue Davidson, Jack Steele, Dan Walker and Alex Wonhas reflecting on how they approach often complex people situations with empathy and proactively manage conflict and concerns within their teams.

Jasmine Doak, Group Manager of HR, Linkfox talks about how Linfox have been leading the way in health and safety for a long time and how the Heads Up initiative is going to play a valuable role for Australian workplaces and businesses.

Faulty equipment commonly causes electric shock to workers. This video shows you what to look for when inspecting equipment. Noting this video requires testing and tagging which as mentioned above is commonly adopted as good practice, but is not a requirement of the WHS legislation.

Australia’s population is ageing. For the first time we have four generations at work. Participation and engagement of all generations at work is essential for dynamic and productive workplaces. We need to support choices that promote ability to work and help people stay at work when their life circumstances change.

In March 2013, APS agencies came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of an ageing workforce. Facilitated by the APSC and co-hosted by Comcare, agencies were able to share experiences, ideas and discuss the opportunities of age diversity in the workplace.

Organisations have already begun to experience the effects of a shifting age profile, with rapid ageing of its workforce since the early 1990s. Leaders and managers need integrated strategies in workforce planning, health and safety and human capital planning development to shift attitudes and age stereotypes and equip work practices that embrace all ages at work.

With longer and healthier working lives comes an opportunity for many people to work longer and possibly change career pathways. Career development and planning support can contribute significantly to enhancing employee motivation and productivity.

We are going through one of the most profound demographic changes we have experienced in the history of mankind. Employers can’t change the demographic trend but they can identify and manage the risks.

Good work is good for you—while there is a complex relationship between health and work, people in work are generally healthier. Work that is healthy, safe and well-designed is generally good for both physical and mental wellbeing. Investing in health and wellbeing makes good business sense.

An effect of the demographic change associated with the ageing population is a shortage of skilled workers. Organisations need to make the best use of skilled and experienced people. This includes extending the working life of older workers. For managers, having the right employees, with the right skills, in the right place and at the right time, is increasingly challenging.

Learning is a lifelong process and an important part of successful ageing, particularly within the workplace. Investing in learning and development for older workers brings benefits to both employers and workers. Older workers need training throughout their careers to keep their skills up-to-date and relevant for the needs of the organisation. As a result they are likely to be more engaged, satisfied in their jobs, and more productive.

Kate Carnell, former Chief Minister of the ACT and newly appointed CEO of Beyond Blue, speaks to CEO Paul O’Connor about mental health issues in the workplace, and the importance of mental health leadership.

Comcare’s 2012 Work Health and Safety Awards dinner was held 20 September at Doltone House in Sydney. The awards recognise and reward excellence in workplace health and safety, rehabilitation and return to work achieved by individuals and organisations covered under the Comcare scheme.

Comcare’s 2013 National Conference was held 18-19 September at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. The theme was Better design for prevention, smarter support for recovery. This video features key messages from speakers accross the two days of the conference.

Tracy shares her story since being diagnosed with mesothelioma in July 2010. For Tracy, family and friends, a radical new treatment plan, sheer determination, and being able to stay in the workplace, proved the perfect medicine to overcome a life-changing diagnosis.

Day one of Comcare's 2011 National Conference was themed 'Leading people through innovation' and featured presentations by industry leaders, as well as a welcome cocktail reception at the Melbourne Museum.

This video was presented by Paul O’Connor, CEO of Comcare during his welcome address at the 2012 Comcare National Conference. This video includes a number of speakers who reinforce the importance of healthy workplaces.

Comcare’s 2012 National Conference was held 19–21 September at the Sydney Convention Centre. The theme was Build, Connect, Support—Lead the conversation with a focus on mental health and wellbeing. This video features key messages from speakers, as well as the inaugural Comcare Work Health and Safety Awards dinner.

The 2011 SRCC Safety Awards were held in Melbourne on 13 September. The awards recognise excellence in workplace health, safety, rehabilitation and return to work achieved by employers and individuals covered under the Comcare scheme.

Comcare continues to place workers at the centre of what we do to ensure they return safely to their families, friends and communities every day. Several injured workers have shared their stories of hope, endurance and conquest.

Day three of Comcare's 2011 National Conference was themed 'Impact—achieving effective outcomes in service delivery' and featured presentations by industry experts and the Safety in your generation luncheon event.

Comcare’s 2013 Work Health and Safety Awards dinner was held 18 September at Parliament House in Canberra. The awards recognise and reward excellence in workplace health and safety, rehabilitation and return to work achieved by individuals and organisations covered under the Comcare scheme

Comcare workers have adopted safety as a frame of mind and have put themselves in the picture for Work Health and Safety Month. Watch the video and encourage your colleagues to be happy, healthy and safe at work—together we can put every worker in the picture!

Engaged, challenge, care, teamwork, real, stigma and inclusion – these are some of the words used to describe mental health in the workplace. Use this video to start a conversation about mental health in your workplace or support your mental health initiatives.

Within any demographic in the workplace there will be risks and opportunities. There are benefits in obtaining age balance within teams. Leadership is important. We need aware leaders who understand the demographic shift in our population and the implications. Today, while there is a level of understanding, we need to translate this into action to follow. We need to bridge the knowing/doing gap. We often know what we should be doing a long time before we start doing. Now is the time to rise to the challenge.

There is an ongoing conversation about older workers in the Australian workforce. We need to understand the citizens we serve and having a good representation of them is important. As people approach traditional retirement age we need to think differently about their transition to retirement. This is something the APS can take a lead on, on behalf of society, and provide good policy advice in this space.

For the first time we have four generations at work. This is an opportunity because diversity within teams produces a better results. If you have people in a team each bringing a different perspective and experience, you combine—you get a better outcome. We need to make sure these teams can incorporate the older member as well as the younger member, and the person at the middle stage of their career.

Dr Richard Pimentel, world-renowned disability activist, talks with CEO Paul O’Connor on wide-ranging issues including the employment of people with a disability, bullying in the workplace, return-to-work processes, and the transition of war veterans into civilian life.